C5-C6 Disc Herniation/Myelopathy
 

Hi Guys,

I have been lurking here for a while, and am finally introducing myself. I am 30 years old, and work as a pediatric intensive care RN. I love my job, but it is certainly not easy on the body.

since Nov. 2014 I have had mild symptoms associated with my C5-C6 herniation (mainly intermittent numbness in arms along the c5-c6 dermatome) Summer of 2016 my symptoms progressed to my legs (More numbness and tingling-intermittent) and I started to get pain in my shoulder and arms.

I have seen 2 neurosurgeons, 1 at Stanford recommended a Fusion but I should wait until "I cant walk" and one in Sacramento who said to do a Mobi-C Disc replacement, but had not done enough that I felt comfortable with him performing my surgery.

I am off to see Dr. Blumenthal on Wednesday at Texas Back Institute for a consult. I am extremely nervous as I keep doubting myself on the good days as to whether I need surgery or not. I have pain and numbness and tingling daily at about a steady pain level of 3-4. I function on that, with no meds. When I get a flare, my pain rises to a 6-7, and I am scared of how much worse it can get.

Being young I am scared about the life of the device and worse pain after, but I am also scared of the progression of the myelopathy that will more than likely occur.

I think Dr. Blumenthal will be my best bet at a normal (ish) life, and absolutely believe the surgeon's skill is a big factor in recovering from these surgeries.



Thanks for sharing your stories, and I am thankful to this site for support.

good luck
 

Hi. I am 46 and opted to have a 2 level ADR for my cervical spine problems. I am glad that I did. The condition was basically fixed by this and I am so thankful to not have the awful symptoms I experienced before. I did not experience any pain post-op, which was surprising to me, but maybe this is the norm for cervical ADR? Hope you have a good consult in Texas.

Hey Mo, welcome and I hope we can help.

Stanford never ceases to amaze me in terms of the exceptionally poor quality advice and treatment they provide to patients with chronic conditions. Last year, one of the members had a severe Lyme disease (and co-infection) condition and they did NO diagnostics on her -- and she got a helluva bill from them.

And you are now hearing this:

"...Stanford recommended a Fusion but I should wait until "I cant walk" .."

Stay away from Standford. Get other opinions as you already have. Message patients and talk to them, if you can!

And btw, can you share the radiologist report verbiage on your most recent imaging?

Just got done at TBI. First class institution. Dr. Blumenthal made me feel comfortable, and confident that surgery is a good course for me. (He asked me where I Heard about TBI and I said this site- he says Hello, Harrison!)

I got a tour of the facility, and was really given the VIP treatment here. Regardless if this is standard or not- making a patient feel that way is huge! The staff seemed great, and I actually talked to a Nurse who had surgery with Dr Blumenthal. He said Dr B gave him his life back. This is the first time I would feel confident proceeding with surgery. The next hurdle will be getting the procedure covered by insurance. Fingers crossed!

Harrison, I'll post MRI verbiage tonight when I get home. My last MRI was in April, and I have only c5-c6 involvement. I feel relieved I have confidence in Dr B, as I haven't with any of the other docs I've seen. That alone is a win for me!

Glad things went well. So much of the decision-making for most people is feeling "good" about the surgeon -- trusting their skills and experience.

In general, one level cervical ADRs have the best outcomes among all other patients here.

Which artificial disc might you receive? The Mobi C?

So I just heard today that my Mobi-c for c5-c6 was approved through TBI with Dr Blumenthal. All the stars aligned, apparently! I am excited and nervous. Of course I have been feeling better for the last couple of weeks....

Dr B requested a CT scan since my last MRI was April 2016. I'll post both for comparison:

MRI April, 2016

C2-c3: No significant canal or foraminal narrowing.
C3-c4: No significant canal or foraminal narrowing.
C4-c5: No significant canal or foraminal narrowing.
C5-c6: Moderate size central/right paracentral/foraminal disc osteophyte complex results in moderate canal narrowing and stable ventral cord compression. Right lateral recess narrowing and severe right foraminal narrowing. Mild left foraminal narrowing.

C6-c7: No significant canal or foraminal narrowing.
C7-t1: No significant canal or foraminal narrowing.

CT March 2017

Osseous structures: Reversal usual cervical lordosis again seen.
There may be mild grade 1 retrolisthesis C5-6 as before.
Degenerative change with reduced disc height again seen C5-6.

C2-3: The central canal and neural foramina appear adequate.

C3-4: The central canal and neural foramina appear adequate.

C4-5: Small disc osteophyte ridge and mild indenting the thecal
sac, similar to the prior MRI. Neural foramina appear adequate.

C5-6: Prominent broad right eccentric disc osteophyte formation
results in moderate central canal stenosis and slight
displacement and deformity of the spinal cord as on the prior
MRI. There is caudal calcified disc extrusion versus
osteophyte/OPLL. The right lateral recess is narrowed. There
appears to be moderately severe narrowing of the right neural
foramen based on the CT. Mild narrowing of the left neural
foramen.

C6-7: The central canal and neural foramina appear adequate.

C7-T1: The central canal and neural foramina appear adequate.

Lung apices: Visualized portions clear.


My left side has been experiencing more of the common symptoms of pain in the Arm and numbness and tingling in the 5-6 dermatome (bicep, fingers, etc).

Dr B basically told me that though I don't have weakness, due to my myelopathy symptoms, (though mild) I should probably get it taken care of. He also added if I was his daughter, he would tell her the same.

I am going to call on Monday and get a date selected. I'm so nervous and a little excited it's all working out.

Any feedback in imaging or words of wisdom would be helpful and much appreciated! Thanks. :)

:jacks:

New Member - Possible ADR Surgery - Feel Confused
 

whoops, newbie mess up.